Why is my paralells folder so big in size??

[dorian88]

My paralells folder is 13GB when I only have about 2 GB of programs and files on my paralells VM. I don't use a boot camp partition just natively installed it on paralells.

Anyone know why the folder is so big?

thanks

 

[Stacey M]

Hello,

you could use Parallels Compressor in order to reduce the size of your VM file.

Best regards,
Stacey

 

[dorian88]

Why would the folder be so big in size though?

 

[chashulme]

*edited by OP*

 

[gegervision]

Because the Parallels folder houses the .hdd file which is your Guest OS hard drive.

 

[dorian88]

How do I use the paralells compressor? I can't find the application? What exactly does it do?

thanks

 

[gegervision]

Parallels Menu (in OSX)--> Actions --> Run Parallels Compressor

Just follow the prompts. Depending on the size of your .hdd file you could expected it take anywhere from 2 - 10 hours or more to perform.

If you need more assistance please read the User Guide:
http://www.parallels.com/files/upload/Parallels_Desktop_for_Mac_User_Guide.pdf

How large is your .hdd file or your Parallels folder?

 

[dorian88]

My .hdd file is 13GB. How exactly does paralells compressor work in freeing up space?

 

[gegervision]

Please read the user manual for more details but if you setup your .hdd as expanding then by nature of virtual HDDs will increase in size over time and compressor will bring it back to normal. It's good habit to do this one a month.

What version of Parallels are you using? If you are using version 5160 or newer compression should take about 2 - 7 hours on a 13GB virtual HDD.

 

[Alicia]

dorian88,

have you done any snapshots?

Best regards,
Alicia.